Argyranthemum frutescens `Carmella`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct selection of Silver Flower which shall be referred hereinafter as Argyanthemum frutescens cultivar `Carmella`. Argyanthemum frutescenscultivar Carmella differs distinctively from other Argyanthemum frutescens plants by its unique combination of consistent and uniform pink colored flowers varying only slightly with age and foliage which has a more grey hue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct selection of Argyranthemumfrutescens (L.) Schutz-Bip., native to the Canary Islands and a memberof the Compositae family. Argyanthemum frutescens cv. `Carmella` was theresult of a controlled breeding program. the seed parent wasArgyranthemum frutescens cv. `Blanche` and the pollen parent wasArgyanthemum frutescens cv. `Rollasons Red`,. I selected this seedlingin 1995. My discovery was made at 100 Boundary Road, Narre Warren East,Victoria, Australia. Selection was based on the consistent and uniformpink colored flowers and the grey green foliage. My new plant has beenasexually reproduced by cuttings since the discovery in 1995 at 100Boundary Road, Narre Warren Wast, Victoria, Australia and later atMonrovia Nursery Company, 18331 E. Foothill Boulevard, Azusa, Calif. Hadthis controlled hybridization not occured and the seedling not beendiscovered and propagated, it may have been lost to mankind. It isunlikely these particular select and favorable attributes of the plantcould be conveyed to progeny through sexual reproducrion in the nextgeneration. However, through extensive propagation by rooting of theplant it has been established that the novel exceptional characteristicsof this plant are stable and reliably passed on to clonal specimensthrough asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Arhyranthemum frutescens cv. `Carmella` has a uniform and consistentflower size and color. The ray flowers are pink with the base a whitecolor presenting a uniform white eye surrounding the disc. With age theflower color changes only slightly with the tips lightening and theoriginal pink ray color present just above the white based ring. Overallthe effect is a very consistent pink color on all the flowers. Theheight of Argyranthemum frutescens cv. `Carmella` is taller than eitherof its parents but has more uniformity within its cultivar group thaneither parent. The average height of my selection of twenty randomsamples is 33.0cm with a 2.4cm deviation. Though this is 10.6cm tallerthan cultivar `Rollasons Red`, the pollen parent, my selection has moreuniformity as the pollen parent has a larger deviation of 4.2cm inheight. The seed parent cultivar `Blanche` is 9.9cm shorter but has alarger deviation of 2.5cm. This application is co-pending with those offour other Argyranthemum selections. `Primose Petite` (U.S. Plant Pat.application Ser. No. 08/848,790) differs significantly in having whiteray florets. `Annabel` (U.S. Plant Pat. application Ser. No. 08/851,475)differs significantly in having white florets. `Blanche` (U.S. PlantPat. application Ser. No. 08/846,476) differs significantly in havingwhite ray florets and also in height as previously stated. The finalselection `Gretel` (U.S. Plant Pat. application Ser. No. 08/848,790)differs significantly as outlined below. `Carmella` maintains a pinkcolor band of Amaranth Rose whereas `Gretel` has no pink on the outerbasal line. `Carmella` has a larger growth habit whereas `Gretel` issmaller. `Carmella` has ray florets which are similar in color on theupper surface and under surface whereas `Gretel` has ray florets whichare darker in color on the upper surface and lighter in color on theunder surface.

My selection Argyranthemum frutescens has tolerated a -5 degree Celsiustemperature which is equvalent to a U.S.D.A. hardiness zone seven withno harm or damage. Winter protection is necessary from heavy frost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photograph shows the plant in flower. The flower coloris very uniform and consistent with a slight fading as the inflorescencematures. The white basal ring surrounded by pink color is alsoprominently displayed. Ray floret colors illustrated may vary slightlyfrom the actual plant coloration due to light reflectance.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Below is a detailed description of Argyranthemum frutescens cultivar`Carmella`, the color terminology is from the British Horticulural ColorCharts. Measurements are based on 20 random samples taken in Australia.

Botanical description:

Overall habit.--Perennial, subshrub.

Overall size.--Slightly wider than tall. Height--33.0cm (± 2.4cm).Width--49.6.cm (± 2.3cm).

Bloom season in Austrila: Heaviest bloom in Spring for 10 weeks.

Melbourne.--6-8 months per year.

Brisbane.--4-6 months per year.

Bloom lastingness.--7-14 days per inflorescence.

Foliage:

Arrangement.--Alternate.

Surface.--Upper: glabrous. Lower: glabrous.

Shape.--Pinnatisect, primary segments 3 to 5.

Margins.--Deeply to lightly parted, lobes end with mucronulate tip.

Size.--Length: 56.3mm (±7.0mm). Width: 34.4mm (±5.3mm).

Color.--Upper leaf surface: Leek Green 000858 to Parsley Green 00962.Lower leaf surface: slightly lighter in color a Spinach Green 0960.

Texture.--Freshly, succulent.

Stem coloration.--Spinach Green 0960/3, lighter in color than foliage.

Inflorescences:

Fragrance.--Light, faint, sweet scent.

Bud shape.--Globose.

Bud length.--9mm to 10mm.

Bud width.13 8mm to 10mm.

Bud color.13 Spinach Green 0960/1, paper like bracts Majolica Yellow 09mixed with a tint of Garnet Brown 00918/3.

Arrangement.--Heterogamus capitula, 1 per peduncle.

Diameter.--3.5 to 4.cm.

Peduncle length.--9-11cm.

Disc flower color.--Chinese Yellow 606.

Disc diameter.--1.5cm (±2cm).

Disc floret reproductive organs.--pistillate and staminate organs arepresent.

Ray floret number.--Average 19 to 21.

Ray floret aspect.--flattened, varies from 90 to 120degrees.

Ray floret aspect.--ligulate.

Ray floret length.--16-18mm.

Ray floret width.--6-8mm.

Ray floret color.--Initial flowering Amaranth Rose 530 to Rodamine Pink527/1on upper surface and under surface. Mature flowering: lightlyfading with age to Amaranth Pink 530/3 to Rhodamine Pink 527/3 on uppersurface and under surface .

Basal line.--White color maintained throughout flowering, outer side ofwhite basal line holds pink color of Amaranth Rose 530.

Ray floret reproductive organs.--Pistillate organs are present.

Fruit: A 2-4 angled cypsela, 1 winged.

Disease resistance: The rust diseases of the genera Coleosporium andCronartium are not known to occur on my selection in Australia.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Argyranthemum frutescens plantsubstantially as shown and described which differs distinctively fromother Arhyranthemum frutescens plants by its unique combination ofconsistent and uniform pink colored flowers varying only slightly withage and foliage which has a more grey hue.